People
Luxe Closings
Choosing the right property is stressful enough. Perland Title & Escrow Services Corp. prides itself on fast, efficient closings that keep prices low while pampering clients to the max.
Marketing Maestro
Monica Venegas sold out over 70% of Chateau Beach before the Sales Lounge was finished. So it’s no wonder Château Group has asked her to head the sales & marketing efforts for their latest ultra-luxury venture, Fendi Château Residences.
Shot Caller
Kori Baxter has diverse experience putting her Dietetics & Nutrition degree to work slinging low-calorie shooters at Spazio Nightclub. Now armed with Massage Therapy credentials, she can cure anything that ails you.
Up, Up & Away
Tibor Hollo can literally stand atop any of the scores of projects he’s developed around town and see how his vision has influenced the city in more ways than he can remember. In his 6 decades as a developer, he’s seen the market soar and crumble 9 times while his vision for the future of Miami steadily continued to materialize with prophetic accuracy. Today, he’s planning to build the tallest skyscrapers Miami has ever seen.
Good Looks
Village of Merrick Park and Neiman Marcus Coral Gables hosted a Collection Party for Fashionably Conscious during Neiman Marcus’ highly anticipated semi-annual Trend Event.
DREAM MEN
We joined forces with Switchboard Of Miami’s Women’s Leadership Council to bring you some of South Florida’s most eligible bachelors. From CEOs and entrepreneurs to lawyers, bankers, realtors, national heroes and every profession in between, the one thing all these guys have in common is that they’re single and ready to mingle.
Innovative Ignitor
Amy Crismond leads Switchboard Of Miami’s efforts to greatness via community fundraising, donations and getting people involved in the organization’s mission.
OPEN INVITATION
Forget the e-vites and group texts, when it comes to personalizing invitations and stationery for a special occasion, no one does it better than Diana Serrano at Paperie Invitation Studio, where an RSVP is almost always guaranteed.
Cultural Combo
Trumpet Virtuoso Arturo Sandoval is recognized as one of the best living performers in the genres of classical and jazz, while Glass Sculptor Dale Chihuly creates dramatically illuminated installations — this month, both will align for one magical evening.
Girls United
The Girl Up campaign, created by the United Nations Foundation, mobilizes American girls to raise awareness and funds for adolescent girls in developing countries. Charles Schwab’s Sande Taylor found a few ways to leverage her time, talent & treasure to help their mission…and you can, too.
Spray & Pray
A personal tragedy in 2010 brought Marian Alonso out of her creative shell, and as a result she left her career and started an art empire she markets in an uncommon way through graffiti murals.
Flower Guru
Ever wonder how that special rose lands in the hand of your lucky lady on Valentine’s Day? We got the scoop on the buds and blossoms from Global Floral Resources, Inc.’s East Coast Flower Inspector Israel B. Osoria, Sr., otherwise known as the #FlowerGuru.
Lady Luck
A few years ago, Stephanie Phillips left The Buckeye State for The Sunshine State, but unlike LeBron, she never looked back.
Taste Masters
Hungry? Good. The chefs you’re about to meet have perfected the science of gastronomy and are cooking up some of the most delicious bites your palate’s ever encountered. Don’t worry if you ask for seconds, just try not to lick your plate clean — you should always leave room for dessert.
The SWARM Effect
From fishing tournaments to food-centric events and art expos, Tony Albelo has crowds swarming to his signature South Florida events year after year.
Out Of This World
Joelle Cooperrider’s paintings live in a space between Mathematics & Mixed-Media known as Poured Mark-Making. Her work has toured Keystone Art Space, Rochester Contemporary Art Center and recently — Mars.
Intermix & Match
Fashion masterminds Khajak & Haro Keledjian co-founded the first Intermix 22 years ago. Today, the company boasts stores in 30 major cities, 15 states and 2 countries. And now, with the reopening of the Bal Harbour boutique after a major revampnovation (that’s revamp + renovation), Khajak shares the recipe that makes his brand some kind of wonderful.
Sips & A Show
In 2013, Andy Davila left his stagnant marketing job to dive into the exciting world of Wynwood’s spirits scene. That didn’t mean he had to quit moonlighting in the film industry, and fortunately he’s been brilliant in both settings.
Aces
Meet the people who are shaping the future of business with every handshake, transaction and bottom line. The passion, attitude, outlook and savvy they all share has yielded an ingrained need to succeed no matter what the consequences. These inspirational visionaries are some of the top leaders of today and tomorrow who will inspire, motivate and in many cases complement the very goals that keep you going. After all, business is all about who you know, isn’t it?
Skirts & Suits
Dress For Success Miami looks to continue to help individuals transition toward self-sufficiency while shining a light on their men’s Suited For Success initiative with Jennifer Heegaard as the new Board President.
Air King
Aviation veteran and Miami native Justin Firestone is helping change the way we travel as part of private aviation enterprise Wheels Up.
Building Miami
The Melo Family’s company, The Melo Group, is run by a pair of brothers, Carlos & Martin Melo, and their father, Jose Luis Melo, who’s been in the business for 50+ years.
Commercial Success
Alaire Harris can swap careers like a wardrobe change and go from model to metalsmith at the drop of a hat. Like lightning, inspiration may strike at any moment drawing on themes of contrasting aesthetics, inner strength and nature.
Presidential Pours
W. Nathan Rogers has an authoritative name that doesn’t quite match his approachable demeanor. He directs bar operations by the light of an exquisite chandelier, under which he blends a Library Of Congress-sized compilation of premium spirits.
The 2015 Top 20 Professionals Under Forty
We scoured The Magic City to bring you what we deem to be the next generation of business leaders at the tip of The Sunshine State. These young professionals represent a variety of industries and excel at their respective crafts with superior sophistication and their own unique blend of style and savvy. All have managed to seamlessly balance their careers with their personal lives while continuously giving back to the community that has helped mold them into who they are. Without further ado, flip this page to meet this year’s Top 20 Under Forty.
Brand You
If you’re looking to stand out in a sea of skirts and suits, turn to personal branding and story-teller extraordinaire Jessica Kizorek for insights on how to make your personal brand shine.
Yummy Tides
Bringing cruise passengers a superb culinary experience takes plenty of planning and execution behind-the-scenes before the buffets and menu options are laid out for everyone to see (and devour). Hans Hesselberg, Sr. VP of Hotel Operations for MSC Cruises, gives a glimpse on orchestrating epicurean delights on the high seas.
Bomb Tracks
Zona De Bomba sources explosive material from the Afro-Puerto Rican tradition of Bomba, which runs on the power of only a duo of hard-hitting instruments: Percussion & Voice.
Creating Community
In addition to conceptualizing, designing and overseeing the execution of quality buildings that people enjoy living in, Ugo Colombo sees his role as a “lifestyle and community developer” like none other.
SPORT DREAMS
Transforming lives for the better, Erika Contreras leads Soccer For Peace to train, elevate and empower youth in Colombia.
Globally Bejeweled
In 2010, while Liliana Aguilera was enrolled in UM’s Executive MBA Program, she conceived Varelli, a fashion-focused company that took her from extra-credit to couture.
Drink Designer
Only a few years after leaving her native Cuba, Laura Rubio has mastered English, was admitted to FIU’s Mechanical Engineering Program and amassed a mental database of hundreds of cocktails.
Mirror, Mirror
If you’ve been striving to be the fairest of them all, look no further than these professionals of perfection who are dedicated to helping you yield the best version of yourself possible.
Soul Connector
Look to Intuitive Healer & Soul Connector Michelle Alva of PureSelf, Inc., to help you activate your body medicine, align you with your authentic self and connect every fiber of your being with your soul.
Soul Ease
When it comes to finding your inner tranquility and transcending it to your outer self, the soothing wisdom of Deepak Chopra will help you become the best version of yourself possible.
Coast Guards
Singer/strummer Bethany Cosentino and guitar savant Bobb Bruno know there’s trouble with navigating relationships, so they’ve shaped a trio of albums to help guide you along.
Art Interactive
Manifestos is Artist Jose Carlos Martinat’s full-sensory audio-mechanical installation that you can now encounter as you come and go from the epicenter of Brickell’s Financial District.
Branching Out
Helping multiple generations of families improve their financial future is the focus of Branches, Inc., and their financial literacy stability services.
Cocktail Queen
Karen Reina lives a fast-paced life devoted to earning her nursing credentials, shooting zingers at goalies in her soccer league and park-hopping with her French bulldog appropriately named Negroni.
Aesthetically Savvy
The masters of aesthetic beauty you’re about to meet from some of the city’s top salons & spas are sure to keep you looking good no matter what season you pay them a visit.